A policeman found dead in the hotel Matignon

The body of the Republican Guard was found Monday, his weapon at his side, announced the services of the Prime Minister. The thesis of suicide is privileged.

Monde.fr with AFP and Reuters
| 05.11.2018 at 12:32
• Updated05.11.2018 at 13:45

The dead body of a Republican guard was discovered Monday morning, November 5, in the compound of the hotel Matignon in Paris, his weapon at his side, announced the services of Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe. The thesis of suicide is privileged, we learned from concordant sources.

The body of the 45-year-old gendarme, responsible for the protection of the building, was found around 9:30 am, said a police source and a source close to the investigation. The 45-year-old man was assigned to the video surveillance services of the military command of the residence of the head of the government. The General Inspectorate of the National Gendarmerie (IGGN) has been seized.

"Degradation" of working conditions

"Informed in New Caledonia of this tragic event, the Prime Minister extends his most sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. He wished to express his support for the comrades of the deceased policeman as well as for all of Matignon's staff. "according to the release.

In August, gendarmes from the hotel Matignon security company, the Prime Minister's residence, had denounced "The degradation of their working conditions" which causes a "Deep malaise", in an anonymous letter addressed to their hierarchy and of which AFP had had a copy at the beginning of October.

Interviewed by Agence France-Presse, the national gendarmerie had indicated that a "Evaluation mission" was directed by the director general of the national gendarmerie, General Richard Lizurey, with the IGGN.